How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
In today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of success stories and forget the humble beginnings of many successful founders. Sameer Maheshwari, CEO of HealthKart, is one such individual who attributes his success to the middle-class mindset that shaped his journey. In a recent interview, Sameer shared how his upbringing in a middle-class family taught him valuable lessons of resilience, frugality, and grit, which have been instrumental in his entrepreneurial success.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer faced his fair share of challenges. His parents, though hardworking, didn’t have the luxury of providing him with a safety net. He had to work hard to earn everything he wanted, from his pocket money to his education. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility and the value of hard work. As he puts it, “I didn’t have the luxury of taking things for granted. I had to work hard to get what I wanted, and that taught me the importance of earning everything.”
This middle-class mindset is what sets apart successful founders like Sameer from those who have had the privilege of being born into wealth. While privilege can provide access to resources and connections, it often lacks the sense of urgency and drive that comes from having to work hard to achieve success. Sameer’s experience taught him that success is not solely dependent on resources, but on his ability to adapt, innovate, and persevere in the face of adversity.
One of the key values that Sameer learned from his middle-class upbringing is frugality. Growing up, he had to be mindful of every rupee he spent, making sure that he made the most of his limited resources. This habit of living below his means has served him well in his entrepreneurial journey, allowing him to make smart financial decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses. As he puts it, “Frugality is not just about saving money; it’s about being responsible with your resources. It’s about making sure that you’re using your resources wisely and not wastefully.”
This value of frugality is a crucial one for entrepreneurs, particularly those who are just starting out. With limited resources, it’s easy to get caught up in the temptation of spending money on unnecessary expenses, only to find yourself struggling to make ends meet. Sameer’s experience has taught him that this approach can be detrimental to an entrepreneur’s success, and that by being frugal, he can focus on what truly matters – growing his business.
Another key value that Sameer learned from his middle-class upbringing is resilience. Growing up, he faced his fair share of setbacks and failures, but he never let them define him. Instead, he used them as opportunities to learn and grow, teaching himself to adapt to new situations and bounce back from adversity. This ability to bounce back from failure is a crucial one for entrepreneurs, as it allows them to navigate the unpredictable nature of the startup world.
As Sameer puts it, “Failure is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. The key is to learn from your failures and use them as opportunities to grow. When you’re resilient, you’re able to adapt to new situations and bounce back from adversity, which is essential for success.”
This value of resilience is one that Sameer believes is uniquely instilled in those who have had to work hard to achieve their goals. Without the safety net of privilege, entrepreneurs like Sameer are forced to be resourceful and adaptable, teaching themselves to navigate uncertainty and bounce back from failure.
In conclusion, Sameer’s experience as a middle-class entrepreneur has taught him valuable lessons of resilience, frugality, and grit. These values, which were instilled in him from a young age, have been instrumental in his entrepreneurial success, allowing him to navigate the challenges of building a business and achieve his goals. As an entrepreneur, Sameer believes that these values are essential for success, and that they can be learned by anyone who is willing to put in the hard work and dedication required to achieve their goals.
Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
